Casket lowering device



July 15, 1941. AN 2,249,687

CASKET LOWERING DEVICE Filed Jan. 26, 1939 2. Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 5. E.EEshZ%Q/mv ATTORNEY Patented July is, 194.1

UNITE stars Parr FFECE 2,249,687 CASKET LOWERING DEVICE Earl E. Eshleman, Covington, Ohio Application January 26, 1939, Serial No. 252,996

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in casket lowering devices, a particular purpose being to improve the specific means for supporting a casket rather than to improve the actual lowering apparatus.

The latter, as is commonly known, consists of a set of four round heads with flat bases and a flange at the bottom, to which are connected rails which are operated by mechanism contained in the heads. To the bases of these heads are applied in a suitable manner, four posts or standards to bring the lowering device up to the desired height from the ground. This apparatus is emplaced around the opening of a grave, and in many instances the bereaved persons have to undergo the anguish of seeing the casket in the act of its being lowered through the opening.

The invention embraces as one of its parts the conversion of the lowering apparatus into a catafalque upon which the casket is emplaced and remains during the ceremony, virtually all vestiges of the lowering apparatus and all signs of the open grave being concealed so that the final act of interring the deceased has much of its pitiable aspects eliminated. With this preamble in mind the objects of the invention are as follows:

First, toprovide a casket lowering device which enables performing the initial act of interment quietly and with ease but particularly in such a refined and stately manner as not to shock, the sensibilities of the bereaved.

Second, to provide a casket lowering device which is initially convertible into a catafalque,

the direct and indispensible contribution toward F this end being the casket platform which not only provides a closure for the grave opening but chiefly a support onto which the casket is slid into the lowering position.

Third, to provide a casket platform which is adapted to be initially supported by the lowering Webs through the instrumentality of a plurality of automatically releasable latches, said platform being subsequently supportable by a set of safety chains to temporarily take the weight of T the casket thus affording an opportunity for the functioning of said latches, all in the manner described below.

Fourth, to provide a casket lowering device wherein use is made of a casket platform for the purposes stated, and wherein the foregoing automatically releasable latches permit the lowering webs to be applied on top of the platform, this arrangement making it possible to swing the platform downward and aside.

Fifth, to provide a casket lowering device wherein the casket platform enables the casket bearers to place one end of the casket on the first set of rollers on one end of the platform and then push the casket into position, thus eliminating the difficult and dangerous task of carrying the casket over the open grave.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the device illustrating how the apparatus is virtually allconcealed by its conversion in a catafalque.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the metallic and wood components of the device illustrating its initial position. 7

Figure 3 is a sectional perspective view of one of the adjustable corner standards.

Figure 4 is a sectional perspective view of one of the latches.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the web supporting rod of the latch.

' -Figure 6 is a perspective view of the bushing.

Figure '7 is a perspective ViBW' of the device, showing the parts in the position of release of the lowering webs from the platform.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing how the platform is swung to one side during the act of lowering "the casket.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a rope link used in conjunction with the safety chains.

Figure 10 is a perspective View illustrating the condition of one of the latches immediately prior to the release of a lowering web as in Fig. 7.

Figure 11 is a perspective view illustrating how the latch is automatically released upon the occurrence of a slack in the lowering web.

Reference is first made to Fig. 2 wherein the known casket lowering apparatus is generally designated I. This apparatus, as is more or less commonly known, consists of a set of four round heads with flat bases and a flange at the bottom, the heads 3 of which contain a mechanism which when wound is adapted to slowly revolve the side rails 4 for gradually paying out of the lowering webs 5, 1. The end rails 5 do not revolve. The mechanism which controls the lowering act is contained by one of the heads 3 (Fig. 8), said head being distinguished from the others by having an exposed shaft 8 which is equipped with a handle 9 for manipulation. The webs 6, I, comprise a pair as is readily seen in Fig. 2, the ends of each web being suitably secured to the respective side rails 4. The webs are adapted to be wound up on the side rails,whereupon their medial portions IIJ span the distance between the side rails.

Attention is next directed to Figure 1. The catafalque designated II has the foregoing lowering apparatus I (Fig. 2) as its foundation. A sufficient number of imitation grass mats I2 are banked vertically around the sides of the lowering apparatus and secured over the rails 4, 5, in any suitable way. The heads 3 are shown slightly exposed in Fig. 1 merely to associate the grass mats with the lowering apparatus, but in actual practice it is possible to cover these heads also so that persons standing around the opening I3 of the grave (Fig. 2) will see practically no mechanism whatsoever. The banking of the lowering apparatus I leaves an opening I4 (Fig. 1). This opening is in direct registration with the grave opening I3, as is obviously necessary for the functioning of the casket platform I5 which constitutes the first element of the invention.

The platform I5 comprises an angle iron or other equivalent frame I6 which has a filler I! usually made of wood, but not necessarily so. The frame will be appropriately braced at the corners as at I8 (Fig. 2) and crosswise as at I9, directly beneath the cross webbing I0, so as to give it the requisite strength. A plurality of pairs of rollers I9 are mounted upon the filler I1, and in order to disguise the nature of the platform I5 it is covered with a grass mat 20. This grass mat has cut out places 2|, only large enough to let the rollers I9 show through. A stop 22 is attached to one end of the frame, this stop limiting the motion of the casket when the-latter is emplaced on the platform from the other end.

The arrangement just described relates to an important purpose of the invention. The customary practice requires the pall-bearers to walk along the sides of the grave in order to emplace the casket on the waiting webs. To do this is not only difficult but also dangerous from the standpoint of the possibility of someone slipping over the edge of the opening I3. This incurs the possibility of personal injury as well as an interruption in the ceremony. These dangers are avoided by enabling the presentation of the casket from the right end of the catafalque II (Fig. 1), the casket being pushed until it engages the stop 22.

There is a latch generally designated 23 near each of the corners of the platform I5. These latches are on the sides of the frame I6 near the corners. Since all of the latches are alike in construction, the immediately following description is confined to only one.

The latch 23 (Fig. 4) consists of a retaining tube 24 which is welded to the frame at the side of the angle iron I6. This tube has a bushing 25 of fibre, brass or other suitable metal in one end, and may be closed at the other end into which a piece of felt or other soft material may be inserted as a deadening stop for the supporting rod. Said tube contains a fiber or similar washer 26 which serves as a guide for the web supporting rod 21. For the latter purpose the bushing and washer have matching bores 28, 29 for the rod. The bushing 25 is fixed in the left end of the tube 24 and the rod slides in the respective bore. The washer 26 is carried by the rod and is slidable on the interior of the tube 24.

A fairly heavy coil spring 3!! tends to move the rod 21 toward the right. One end of the spring abuts the bushing 25, and its other end presses the washer 26 against a pin 3|. This pin is adapted to be set in any one of a plurality of openings 32 in the rod and by variously setting the pin 3| it is possible to adjust the tension of the spring 33.

The last hole 32 of the series carries a stud 33 which projects up through a slit 34 situated longitudinally of the tube 24 and beginning near its right end.

This stud has a fiber bushing 35 secured to it in such a way as to occupy the slot 34. Said bushing may be made either square in cross section as shown, or round. The terminal of the stud 33 provides the mount for a knob 36. The rod 2'! is conveniently restored by means of the knob 35 to its extended relationship to the tube 24, shown in Fig. 4.

When the rod 21 is thus extended its free end passes through the bore 31 of a receptacle 38. This receptacle is also welded to the angle iron frame I6 so that its bore matches the bores 28, 29. There is a notch 39 in the free end of the rod. The occupancy of the slot '34 by the bushing 35 serves to prevent the turning of the rod 21, and, consequently, keeps the notch 39 up and in position for engagement by a pivoted dog 40.

This dog is engaged with the notch 39 to hold the exposed portion of the rod 21 in that position wherein it spans the distance between the bushing 25 and the receptacle 38 (Fig. 4). At this time the webs 6, I, are threaded under the rods 21, and since the webs are stretched tightly from one side rail to the other, it follows that the platform I5 is sustained in position substantially flush with the top of the lowering apparatus I (Fig. I).

Said platform has one end of each of four safety chains 4| secured to it in any appropriate way at 42. The terminal links 43 at the other ends of these chains are fitted upon hooks 44 or their equivalents, welded to some convenient part of the adjacent cap plate 52 of the corner standard. The chains 4| are of equal lengths and the latter is substantially such that when the platform I5 is lowered approximately flush with the opening I3 of the grave (Fig. 7) by the functioning of the lowering apparatus, said chains act to stop the. platform. The casket is then supported at the approximate ground level, and the top of the casket will be substantially flush withthe top of the catafalque I I, then being in the position initially assumed by the platform l5 (Fig. 1).

Up to this time the entire weight of the casket rests on the platform I5, which, however, is actually sustained by the lowering webs 6, 1. As soon as the platform I5 reaches the position in Fig. 7 and is stopped by the chains 4|, the continued unwinding of the webs 5, I, producing slack places at 45. The lowering mechanism is then automatically stopped as the safety chains take hold thus to avoid paying out too much of the web. The occurrence of the slack at 45 releases the tension of the rods 21, which were previously freed by swinging the dogs 49 away from the notches 39, thus permitting the springs 30 to retract the exposed parts of the rods 21 into the tubes 24.

B again manipulating the lowering mechanism the director gives the webs a few turns so as to bring the medial portions I0 up under the casket. The whole weight of the casket is then imposed on the lowering webs, the platform I5 being free. The terminal links 43 on one side are then unhooked. The terminal links at the ends of'the apparatus are joined by rope links 45 (Fig. 9) which have connector snap hooks 41 at their ends. Upon unhooking the links 43 the attendants are provided with means for gently lowering the platform to one side of the grave (Fig. 8), the opposite pair of safety chains 4| providing the necessary suspension and hinge connection.

With respect. to the upright corner standards 2 it is to be noted that provision is made for their adjustment to suit an uneven ground surface. But it should .be. understood that .a standard may be furnished which is not adjustable to be. used in cemeteries where'the ground surface is level, thus providing a less expensive outfit. The side and end rails 4, 5, should be as nearly level as it is possible to have them. To this end each standard 2 (Fig. 3) has a base 48 with a rigid tube 49. This has a slot 53 on one side and a series of holes i on the other side. A cap plate 52 has a pendent tube 53 which is in telescopic relationship to the tube 49. The tube 53 has a guide pin 43 slidable in the slot 50, and a set screw 55 which is adapted to be fitted in the desired one of the holes 5|.

The operation has been explained in some detail already, but can be briefly suppl mented by emphasizing the fact that it is by means of the rods 21 of the latches 23 that connection of the platform I5 is made with the lowering webs 6, I. These rods are temporarily held in the extended positions (Fig. 4) by the engagement of the dogs 40 with the notches 39. At this time the lowering webs are threaded under the exposed parts of the rods (Fig. 2)

As soon as the weight of the casket is imposed on the platform 15, the dogs 40 should then be swung back (Fig. The weight of the board and casket frictionally holds the exposed part of the rod 2'? in its extended position. Simultaneously with the occurrence of the slack 45 (Fig. '7) and the stopping of the platform l5 by the safety chains 4| (which is the cause of the slack) the rods 21 are drawn back by the springs 30 and the webs are automatically released from the casket platform 15.

The latter is then swung downwardly to one side (Fig. 8) by the unhooking of one pair of terminal links 43. The lowering mechanism is eventually started so that the casket (Fig. 8) is lowered as indicated.

I claim:

1. In casket lowering apparatus, casket supporting means on which a casket is rested during lowering by means of lowering webs," and spring retractible latch means attached to the sides of said supporting means, said latch means having portions of the webs temporarily connected therewith, thus suspending said supporting means under the webs and immediately adjacent thereto leaving the entire sub-casket portions of said webs unobstructed for direct contact by the casket bottom.

2. In casket lowering apparatus, casket supporting means on which a casket is rested during lowering by means of lowering webs, and latch connecting means suspending said supporting means under the webs and immediately adjacent thereto, leaving the entire sub-casket portions of said webs unobstructed for direct contact by the casket bottom, and springs embodied in the latch means constantly tending to retract said latch means but depending on the tightness of the webs for the maintenance of the connection.

3. In casket lowering apparatus, casket supporting means on which a casket is rested during lowering by means of lowering webs and latch connecting. means suspending the casket supporting. means, said connecting means including rods having the webs threaded thereunder to sustain the casket-supporting means under the medial portions of the webs whereby said portions overlie said supporting means, and including springs constantly tending to retract the rods, but depending on the tightness of the webs from accomplishing said retraction.

4'. In combination with the revoluble rails and webs of a casket lowering apparatus, a casket supporting platform upon which a casket is rested during lowering by said webs, means frictionally connecting said webs to the platform thereby to suspend the platform from the webs, means stopping the platform during its lowering movement thus producing some slack in the webs to materially reduce their frictional engagement with the connecting means, and means then moving said connecting means out of range of the webs permitting displacement of said platform from the path of the casket.

5. In combination with the revoluble rails and webs of a casket lowering apparatus, a casket supporting platform upon which a casket is rested during lowering by said webs, and spring retractible latch means carried by the platform, loosely coupling said webs to the platform while said platform sustains the casket weight.

6. In casket lowering apparatus, a platform on which a casket is rested during lowering by means of lowering webs, web supporting rods loosely carried by said platform, having the webs passed thereunder so that the medial portions of said webs overlie the platform, and springs tending to retract the rods from over the webs but being prevented from functioning by the binding of the webs against the rods while the casket weights the platform down.

7. In casket lowering apparatus, a platform on which a casket is rested during lowering by means of lowering webs, and latches carried by the platform, coupling the webs to said platform, said latches comprising web supporting rods, spaced and fixed members in which the rod is slidable, said rod spanning the distance between said members and having the webs threaded thereunder, and springs withdrawing the rods from said spanning positions upon a release of web tension on said rods.

8. In casket lowering apparatus, a platform on which a casket is rested, latches on the sides of the platform, having rods beneath which casket lowering webs are threaded, thus marking off medial web portions overlying the platform, coming directly next to the casket and holding the latch rods under lateral pressure during the superimposition of the casket weight upon the platform, chains connected at one end to the platform, means to which the other ends of said chains are anchored, limiting the lowering of the platform and permitting a slackening of the webs, and springs connected with and normally tending to retract said rods, being prevented therefrom by the application of said lateral pressure but acting to retract the latch rods upon said web slackening, permitting dropping the platform away from the Webs and thus resting the casket solely on the medial web portions.

9. In casket lowering apparatus, a platform on which a casket is rested, latches on the sides of the platform, having rods beneath which casket lowering webs are threaded, thus marking off medial web portions overlying the platform,

coming directly next to the casket and holding the latch rods under lateral pressure during the superimposition of the casket weight upon the platform, chains connected at one end to the platform, means to which the other ends of said chains are anchored, a chosen pair of chain ends along one side of the platform being manually disconnectible from the respective anchorage means, said chains normally limiting the lowertracting the latch rods, permitting dropping of the platform away from the webs when said chains are disconnected and thus resting the casket solely on the medial web portions, and flexible means connected to at least one of the chains, providing an extension of said chain when disconnected from the respective anchorages, to be handled in permitting swinging of said platform upon a remainingly anchored pair ing of the platform and permitting a slackening 10 of said chains into a lowered position in a grave.

of the webs, springs connected. to and then re- EARL E. ESHLEMAN. 

